Congress Faces Decline, Claims Union Minister Joshi
New Delhi, May 5: Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, stated on Monday that the Congress party has little to no existence in the country, with its presence primarily limited to Kerala. He further predicted that the party would face a similar fate in Karnataka in the upcoming elections. Addressing a press ... Read more Congress Faces Decline, Claims Union Minister Joshi
DK Shivakumar Accuses BJP of Systematic Abuse of Power in Recent Elections
Bengaluru, May 5: Karnatakas Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President DK Shivakumar has accused the BJP of systematically abusing power during the recent elections in several northern states. Speaking to the media at the KPCC office and in Kanakapura, Shivakumar claimed that the BJP engaged in widespread misuse of authority, particularly in West Bengal, Assam, ... Read more DK Shivakumar Accuses BJP of Systematic Abuse of Power in Recent Elections
Cong wins Bagalkot, Davanagere South; BJP bags Sringeri after recount twist
Siddaramaiah Praises Karnataka By-Election Victory, Questions Bengal Results
Bengaluru, May 5: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reacted to the results of the by-elections in the state and the assembly elections across five states. On Monday, he expressed gratitude to voters for ensuring the victory of Congress candidates in Bagalkot and Davanagere. He stated that the mandate reflects the achievements of his government and ... Read more Siddaramaiah Praises Karnataka By-Election Victory, Questions Bengal Results
Move to aquire 31,000 sqm for suburban rail depot near Devanahalli
NDA wins 5 of 7 bypolls; Congress takes 2 in Karnataka
In a decisive round of by-elections across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura, the BJP and its allies have reaffirmed their dominance, successfully clinching the majority of seats available. The final tally was revealed on Monday, showcasing their stronghold in these regions.
Kolkata, May 4:In a mandate as sweeping as it is symbolic, the BJP on Monday scripted history by winning 202 seats to secure more than a two-thirds majority in the West Bengal assembly polls, ending the TMCs 15-year rule, and decisively shifting the states ideological and political centre of gravity. The verdict acquired added political drama and symbolic heft as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was defeated in the prestigious Bhabanipur seat by BJPs Suvendu Adhikari, capping a stunning turnaround after initial trends appeared to favour the TMC supremo. What began as tentative early leads soon hardened into a decisive wave, with the BJP winning 202 seats and leading in five, while the TMC trailed far behind, managing to win 73 and leading in eight seats, according to Election Commission data at 11.10pm. The scale, spread and speed of the BJP surge -breaching the halfway mark of 148 in the 294-member House well before counting reached its midpoint- pointed not merely to a change of guard but to a structural realignment in Bengal politics. For the first time since 1972, West Bengal appears set to be governed by a party that is also in power at the Centre -a shift with deep administrative and political implications. The result also marked the BJPs decisive breach of its last major eastern bastion, completing its saffron arc across 'Anga, Banga and Kalinga' (Bihar, Bengal and Odisha) and significantly altering the national political balance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the mandate, saying the Lotus blooms in West Bengal and that the party would work to fulfil the aspirations of the people. At the heart of the BJPs campaign was Modi himself, whose high-voltage rallies and direct voter connect made him the central face of the partys push in Bengal, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah functioned as the chief strategist -stitching together booth-level networks, candidate selection and social coalitions. The partys rise in Bengal has been neither sudden nor accidental. Since its 2019 Lok Sabha breakthrough, the BJP has treated the state not merely as another electoral target but as a political and ideological challenge. From a marginal vote share of around four per cent in 2011, the BJP surged to nearly 40 per cent in 2019 and then secured 77 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections, displacing the Left and Congress as the principal challenger to the TMC. Yet, converting that expansion into power had remained elusive until now. As counting progressed through the day, early leads consolidated into a near sweep. The BJPs advance cut across geographies -from north Bengal to Junglemahal to south Bengal, from border districts to industrial belt- indicating a statewide wave rather than region-specific gains. Seats such as Dinhata, Gosaba, Baghmundi, Bankura, Binpur and Nayagram pointed to deep inroads in tribal and rural belts, while gains in Asansol Dakshin, Durgapur Purba and other urban pockets reflected consolidation in industrial and semi-urban regions. Early wins in Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Monteswar, Bhatar, Medinipur and Asansol Dakshin reinforced the breadth of the surge. In contrast, the TMCs resistance appeared fragmented. District-level patterns pointed to a sharp erosion, with the TMC struggling to hold ground in several regions of north Bengal and Junglemahal. The vote share data underscored the depth of the shift. The BJPs vote share climbed to around 45 per cent from 38 per cent in 2021, while the TMCs dropped to nearly 40.94 per cent from 48 percent. A key point lay in the 177 constituencies where voter deletions had exceeded past victory margins -a latent factor that appears to have translated into a decisive political shift. In these seats, the BJP not only retained its earlier gains but also made significant inroads into TMC-held territories, suggesting a deeper realignment rather than a mere swing. The scale of the setback was also reflected in the fortunes of senior TMC leaders. At least 20 ministers were defeated, including Bratya Basu, Manas Ranjan Bhunia, Shashi Panja and Chandrima Bhattacharya. In Sabang, Bhunia, a multi-term winner, lost, while in Dinhata, Udayan Guha was defeated. In Kolkata, BJPs Purnima Chakraborty defeated state industry minister Shashi Panja, pointing to cracks even in urban bastions. For a party that had built its dominance on welfare delivery, centralised authority and booth-level control, the erosion appeared simultaneous across organisational layers. In a dramatic, high-stakes contest that mirrored the political theatre of Nandigram five years ago, Adhikari defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by 15,105 votes after all 20 rounds of counting, according to Election Commission data. I thank the people of Bhabanipur for voting for me and ensuring a margin of over 15,000 votes, Adhikari said after securing victory and collecting his winning certificate. The outcome was a replay of the 2021 Nandigram election, where Adhikari had unseated Banerjee in a fiercely fought battle that reshaped Bengals political narrative. Adhikari, once a close aide of Banerjee and a key architect of the TMCs rise in districts like East Midnapore, now emerges as a frontrunner in discussions over the chief ministerial face of the BJP government. Other names, including state president Samik Bhattacharya, Union minister Sukanta Majumdar and Swapan Dasgupta, are also doing the rounds. The verdict represents a watershed moment for the BJP. From a marginal presence in Bengal in the late 1990s -aided initially by its alliance with the TMC -the party has now completed a steady climb to power and dismantled the very party that once facilitated its entry in the state, three decades ago. Politically, the Monday poll verdict reinforced the BJPs ability to dislodge entrenched regional forces. However, the mandate also brings challenges governing a politically polarised state, managing local leadership equations, and delivering on promises related to development, law and order and administrative reform. For the TMC, the verdict signals a structural rupture. After 15 years in power, the party faces the difficult transition from a dominant ruling force to an opposition formation, with anti-incumbency, corruption allegations, governance fatigue and organisational centralisation converging into a decisive setback. West Bengal, long defined by extended phases of single-party dominance, now appears to be entering a more competitive, bipolar political phase. For the BJP, Bengal is no longer a frontier; it is a governance test. For the TMC, the battle shifts from retaining power to reclaiming relevance. And for Bengal, the moment marks not just a change in government, but a reordering of its political landscape. NDA set to form Govt in Assam for 3rd straight term The ruling NDA is set to form the government in Assam for the third consecutive term after securing a two-thirds majority, with a record high of 102 seats in the 126-member assembly, while the Congress-led Opposition delivered its worst performance in recent times on Monday. The BJP, which contested 90 seats, won 82, while its allies -- the Bodoland People's Front (BPF), which contested 11 seats, and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which fought in 26 seats -- bagged 10 constituencies each. The saffron party secured a majority on its own for the first time in the state. It had won 60 seats in the previous two polls in 2021 and 2016. In the Opposition camp, the Congress, which contested 99 seats, won 19 constituencies, while the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF and Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal secured two seats each, and the Trinamool Congress bagged one constituency. Raijor Dal, an opposition alliance partner, had contested 13 seats, while the other parties in the camp -- Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), CPI(M) and APHLC -- drew a blank. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma won the Jalukbari constituency for the sixth consecutive term, defeating Congress candidate Bidisha Neog by 89,434 votes. In a major blow to the Congress, its state president Gaurav Gogoi lost in Jorhat to veteran politician and sitting BJP MLA Hitendranath Goswami by 23,181 votes. Among the prominent BJP winners are ministers Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Ranoj Pegu (Dhemaji), Pijush Hazarika (Jagiroad), Ashok Singhal (Dhekiajuli), Kaushik Rai (Lakhipur), Prashanta Phukan (Dibrugarh), Krishnendu Paul (Patharkandi) and Bimal Borah (Tingkhong). Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary won from Tamulpur constituency by defeating former BTC chief Pramod Boro of the UPPL. Sitting BJP MLAs Mrinal Saikia (Khumtai), Bhuban Pegu (Jonai), Rama Kanta Dewri (Morigaon), Rupak Sarmah (Nagaon-Batadraba), Paramanda Rajbongshi (Sipajhar), Utpal Borah (Gohpur), Biswajit Phukan (Sarupathar), Binod Hazarika (Chabua-Lahowal), Taranga Gogoi (Naharkatia), Bhaskar Sharma (Margherita), Rupjyoti Kurmi (Mariani) and Bhuban Gam (Majuli) also emerged victorious. AGP ministers Atul Bora and Keshav Mahanta retained their Bokakhat and Kaliabor constituencies, respectively, while first-timer Tapan Das won the Dimoria seat. Among the BPF candidates, cabinet minister Charan Boro retained his Mazbat constituency while the others who won are Maneswar Brahma (Baksa), Paniram Brahma (Sidli-Chirang), Thaneswar Basumatary (Manas), Rihon Daimary (Udalguri) and BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary's wife Sewli Mohilary from Kokrajhar. Prominent Congress candidates who won the polls are sitting MLAs Wajed Ali Choudhury (Birsing Jarua), Jakir Hussain Sikdar (Pakabetbari), Rekibuddin Ahmed (Chamaria) and Nurul Huda (Rupahihat). Other winners from the party include Aminul Haque Laskar (Sonai), Joy Prakash Das (Nowboicha), Tanzil Hussain (Samaguri), Asif Mohammad Nazar (Laharighat) and Aftabuddin Mollah (Jaleswar). AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal won from Binnakandi and his party member Mazibur Rahman from Dalgaon. Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi retained the Sibsagar seat, while another party member Mehboob Muktar won the Dhing seat and Trinamool Congress' Sherman Ali Ahmed won from Mandia. Among the prominent candidates who lost the polls are Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing assembly, Debabrata Saikia, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Saikia, and former Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Ripun Bora. Among the 59 women who contested the polls, only six could manage to win, with four from the BJP, and one each from its allies AGP and BPF, while only one won from Congress. Polling in all 126 assembly constituencies in the state was held in a single phase on April 9 with 722 candidates in fray. UDF sweeps to power in Kerela Lotus blooms in 3 seats Kerala on Monday witnessed a sharp political reset as the state electors voted out the last Left government in the country, bringing back the Congress to the ruling saddle after a gap of 10 years, while the BJP broke through a long-standing electoral drought by winning three seats. The Congress-led UDF swept aside a decade of Left rule under Pinarayi Vijayan with a decisive Assembly victory, with the national party adding the third southern state to be ruled by it, in its kitty. The party is in power in Karnataka and Telangana. While Congress' vote share stood at 28.79 per cent, that of CPI (M) was 21.77 per cent. Congress ally IUML had a voteshare of 11.01 per cent. Apart from strong anti-incumbency against the government, the results of the April 9 polls also indicated a consolidation of support across sections of society in favour of the United Democratic Front, which had been in opposition to the Left dispensation for the past decade. The UDF won 102 seats, while the CPI(M)-headed LDF netted 35 seats, according to Election Commission data on counting of votes for 140 constituencies. The outcome also marked the absence of the Left from governance in any Indian state for the first time in five decades. The ire against the government was so strong that 13 ministers in the cabinet suffered defeat in the political tsunami unleashed by the UDF. Not only the Congress, but its key allies, including the IUML, the Kerala Congress also secured massive victory in the polls, which saw the complete erasure of the LDF in some key districts. At the same time, the LDF partners, including the CPI(M), lost many seats, while a key partner, Kerala Congress (M), was reduced to zero in a humiliating outcome in the polls. Top contenders for the Chief Minister's post, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, won their seats with comfortable margins, setting the stage for the next step in discussions on the post. Of the 21 cabinet members, only Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, P A Mohamed Riyas, K Rajan, G R Anil, K N Balagopal, P Prasad, and Saji Cherian emerged victorious. The ministers who lost the election included Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, Kadannappally Ramachandran A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine. LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan also lost his sitting seat of Perambra in Kozhikode district. The BJP's bid to make strong inroads in Kerala dominated by UDF and LDF got a slight push with the party winning three seats-- Nemom and Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram district and Chathannoor in Kollam. BJP candidate from Chathannoor, B B Gopakumar, won by 4,398 votes. In Nemom, party state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar triumphed with a margin of over 3,000 votes, while former Union Minister V Muraleedharan won Kazhakoottam with a narrow margin. Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support and vowed to work diligently towards building a better future for them. In a post on X, Vadra said, To all my brothers and sisters in Keralam, thank you for your faith and for your overwhelming support. The trust you have placed in us will be the UDF's guiding force as we work hard towards building a better future for each one of you. I sincerely hope that our gratitude to you will be evident each day of the next five years as we strive to fulfil our commitments to you with honesty and humility, she added. Reacting to the outcome, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal said the UDF's sweeping victory was a clear verdict against the arrogance, corruption, and nepotism of the CPI(M)-led government headed by CM Vijayan. Addressing a press conference, Venugopal said the outcome reflected public anger against what he termed 10 years of misrule by the Left government. He claimed that Vijayan's victory in his home constituency, Dharmadam, was only technical, alleging that the CM trailed the UDF candidate in the initial rounds of counting and failed to secure a majority in his own village. He just escaped. He suffered a setback even in his home turf. He was the only person who did not realise the people's mood in this election, Venugopal claimed. In a major political upset for the CPI(M), leaders who had revolted against the party just ahead of the polls and joined the UDF camp, including veteran leader G Sudhakaran, P V Kunhikrishnan and T K Govindan, breached the Left strongholds of Ambalappuzha, Payyannur and Taliparamba seats. CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said the LDF would examine the reasons behind its defeat and take corrective measures. Speaking to reporters, Govindan said every aspect that led to the defeat would be analysed. He thanked LDF workers and the people who voted for the front. The LDF will evaluate and study the defeat, after which required corrections will be made. We expect the support of the people for it, he said. On defeats in traditional party strongholds, Govindan said the LDF had suffered a major setback across Kerala. We will carry out effective organisational work to correct the issues that led to the defeat, he said. BJP leader Chandrasekhar told reporters that as contended by him from the beginning his was an anti-CPI(M) election as the people were fed up with their corruption and alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala. Chandrasekhar said that right from the start of the election campaign, both the Congress and CPI(M) said that BJP will not get even one seat. He also said that he knew right from the beginning that the CPI(M) will not win this time, no matter what it does. Meanwhile, the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly will have 11 women MLAs, one less than in the previous House. The outgoing Assembly had 12 women legislators, a majority of them from the CPI(M). Vijay's TVK emerges giant slayer in Tamil Nadu Actor-politician Vijay's TVK on Monday created a record of sorts in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu and emerged as the single largest party by delivering a shock defeat to incumbent DMK and its president, Chief Minister MK Stalin in his Kolathur constituency, while the AIADMK was pushed to a distant third spot. This was the first time since 1967, when the first non-Congress government (DMK) came to power in the state, that a party other than the two Dravidian heavyweights emerged victorious in the hustings. Vijay and TVK have many firsts to their credit and the the party founder will be the first person from a minority religion -Christianity- to helm the state. While Vijay won from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies, his party has netted 89 seats and was leading in 18 more and is on course to become the single largest party in the 234-member House. Elections were held on April 23 and the counting of votes done on Monday. Perhaps the biggest shock was CM Stalin being defeated by a margin of 8,795 votes in his Kolathur constituency by little known V S Babu, who was formerly with the DMK and an ex-MLA. More than 10 ministers including Geetha Jeevan and Ma Subramanian were defeated. Stalin had last tasted defeat in 1991. Even Deputy CM Udhayanidhi's prospects appeared dim for a while as he trailed behind the TVK nominee in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni. Eventually, he won. As soon as it became clear that TVK was inching towards an unprecedented, huge win in its debut polls, party workers and supporters gathered in front of party office at Panaiyur here and burst firecrackers and distributed sweets. Also, Vijay's victory and often-repeated assurance of share in power to like-minded parties is expected to open a new chapter in the history of the state and TVK supporters expect the Congress (5), IUML (2), Left parties (4), VCK (2) and PMK (5) as well to offer support and have a share in power. Together such parties have won or leading in a total of 18 seats. TVK needs 118 seats to form government. This will the first time in Tamil Nadu that a party will assume power a little over two years after its founding. TVK has clocked nearly 35 per cent (34.92) vote share in its debut polls. The TVK was launched in February 2024. While the DMK has won 48 seats and is leading in 12 constituencies (24.20 per cent voteshare), AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami won by a record margin of 98,110 votes in his home segment of Edapadi in Salem district. The AIADMK has won 41 seats and is leading in six segments (21.25 per cent voteshare). While the party's seniors, including C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani won hands down, many others, such as former minister P Thangamani, suffered shock defeats. Interestingly, the TVK made heavy inroads in the AIADMK's bastion, western Tamil Nadu that includes Coimbatore, even as DMK emerged victorious in some seats. DMK President and outgoing Chief Minister Stalin took the defeat in his stride and said that his party bowed and accepted the people's verdict. He said he was truthful to all sections of people and had acted as per his conscience and also worked beyond his capacity for people's welfare. He asserted that his party, which worked well as the ruling party would from now on work well as the main opposition party. Stalin said in his public life, he had seen lot of victories and defeats as well and DMK's political journey will continue without any slackness. He said ideology is important rather than victories and defeats alone. AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami said that he accepts the people's verdict in the elections. In a statement here, he said, I express my gratitude to all the people, who rose up and performed their democratic duty in the assembly elections. Stating that the people were judges here, he said, Therefore, I wholeheartedly accept the decision given by the people. He said, We will soon recover from this setback. Meanwhile, scores of tinsel town names, including 'superstar' Rajinikanth greeted Vijay on his poll show. National award winner Dhanush, musician Anirudh Ravichander and many others extended their greetings. Interestingly, among the TVK winners was actor-director Srinath, who defeated state minister P Geetha Jeevan in Thoothukudi. NDA retains Puducherry Riding a pro-incumbency wave, the AINRC-led NDA emerged victorious in the April 9 Puducherry Assembly elections, all set to form the government for a successive term. AINRC leader and Chief Minister N Rangasamy won from both the seats that he contested--Thattanchavady and Mangalam, even as the party won a total of 11 seats and was leading in one, according to latest Election Commission figures. Elections to 30 seats were held on April 9. The territorial assembly also has three nominated members to the House. NDA constituent BJP won from four seats while other coalition members--AIADMK and LJK, won from one seat each. Winners from BJP included party senior and incumbent minister A Namassivayam. The NDA's victory came on a day when actor Vijay-led TVK won in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and also emerged victorious from two seats in the UT. Puducherry, a tiny UT located about 160 km from Chennai, borders Tamil Nadu districts Cuddalore and Villupuram on either sides. Opposition DMK won five seats and Congress one. While the CM trounced Neyam Makkal Kazhagam rival E Vinayagam by 4441 votes in Thattanchavady, his pocket borough seat, Rangasamy emerged victorious in Managalam too, defeating DMK's SS Rangan by 7050 votes. This is not the first time that Rangasamy has sought to contest from two seats. He contested in Yanam and Thattanchavady in the 2021 Assembly polls. He however was trounced in Yanam and was successful in Thattanchavady. He may have to now vacate one of the seats. Key losers include former CM Ve Vaithilingam at the hands of Rangasamy. Time for change, not revenge: PM Modi As the BJP swept the assembly elections in West Bengal for the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the state has been finally freed from fear and that it was a time for change, not revenge, as he appealed to all parties to shun the culture of political violence and focus on the future of the state. Addressing the jubilant party workers at the BJP headquarters after the win in assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, PM Modi said the Congress, TMC, and others had been punished severely for opposing the recent women's reservation bill. He said that the Samajwadi Party would also face the wrath of women very soon, in an apparent reference to the 2027 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. In his nearly 50-minute speech, the PM said the elections in West Bengal had been special this year, as earlier they were marred by violence, fear, and the death of innocent people. But this time the news was different as peaceful voting took place in West Bengal and for the first time, no one lost their life during voting, he said. As Bengal enters a new phase of change, I also want to make an earnest appeal to every political party in Bengal. Over the past decades in Bengal, countless lives have been ruined due to political violence. I firmly believe that this election culture of Bengal must change from today onwards. Today, when the BJP has won, the talk should not be of revenge, but of change; not of fear, but of the future, he said and urged the parties to end the vicious circle of violence. PM Modi said it was a special day in many ways as it heralds a bright future for the country. It is a day of trust in the great democracy of India, trust in the politics of performance, trust in the resolve of stability, trust in the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. I bow before the people of West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Keralam, he said at the victory celebration event where BJP President Nitin Nabin, Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, among others, were present. PM Modi said on November 14 last year, when the Bihar election results came in, he told the BJP workers from this very spot that the Ganga flows onward from Bihar all the way to Ganga Sagar (in West Bengal). And today, with victory in West Bengal, from Gangotri (Uttarakhand) to Ganga Sagar (West Bengal), it is nothing but the lotus in full bloom. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal today, in these states surrounding Mother Ganga, there are BJP-NDA governments, he said. The PM said winning and losing are a natural part of democracy and politics, but the people of the five states have shown the world why the country is the mother of democracy. He said women's participation in this election had been exceptionally high and this was emerging as the brightest picture of Indian democracy. Women power is now rapidly progressing towards building a developed India. However, a few days ago, the Congress and its allies blocked this momentum of women's power. These anti-women parties prevented the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam from being passed in Parliament. That is why I said a few days ago that parties opposing the women's reservation bill will have to face the wrath of women. Today, sisters and daughters have punished the Congress, TMC, and DMK, PM Modi said. He said the Congress had certainly benefited from the 10 years of misrule by the Left in Kerala, but expressed confidence that the mothers and sisters of Kerala will also definitely teach the Congress a lesson in the next elections. The Samajwadi Party, which has blocked women's reservation in Parliament, will also have to face the opposition of the women of Uttar Pradesh. No matter what the anti-women Samajwadi Party does, it will never be able to wash away its sins, the PM said. Referring to Assam, he said that along with the river Ganga, the Brahmaputra has also showered immense blessings upon the BJP, and the blessings of Maa Kamakhya have been with the party. The people of Assam have trusted the BJP-NDA for the third consecutive time, he said. PM Modi said that in 2021, the NDA put forward the vision of BEST Puducherry. The people of Puducherry trusted in the vision and blessed the alliance. I want to assure the youth and fishermen of Puducherry that we will keep working for your bright future. The prosperity of Puducherry is our resolve, he said. The PM said the BJP-NDA governments are in power in more than 20 states of the country. Our mantra is 'citizen is god'. We are dedicated to serving the people; therefore, the people are placing more and more trust in the BJP. The people are clearly seeing that where there is BJP, there is good governance. Where there is BJP, there is development, he said. PM Modi said that with the BJP's victory in West Bengal, the soul of Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee must be at peace now. I respectfully bow to the people of Bengal, the people of Assam, the people of Puducherry, and the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala today; I salute them all. Today, I also heartily congratulate the countless workers of the BJP. Every small and big worker of the BJP has once again performed a miracle, has made the lotus bloom. You have created a new history, he said. After his speech, the PM held a meeting at the BJP headquarters with Nabin, Shah, Singh and former party chief J P Nadda. Result aftershocks to be felt all the way up to 2029: CM Omar Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday, while describing the stunning assembly election results in the West Bengal and the Tamil Nadu as political earthquakes, cautioned that their (results') aftershocks would be felt far and wide for a long time, probably all the way up to 2029. CM Omar shared this measured reaction on his personal X handle - where earlier in his instant first reaction, presumably also to the early trends vis--vis assembly election results, he actually created a flutter with his two-word tweet. Bloody hell!! was his ambiguous (the very first) tweet, which he posted with emoticons sharing an expression of disbelief on X handle at 11:01 am on Monday, May 4, 2026. Though the Chief Minister left ample scope for its (tweets) interpretations yet it was read directly in relation to the assembly election result trends by millions of his followers. By evening, CM Omars enigmatic two-word post had already garnered 1.8 million views and 23,200 plus likes. However, later, he posted a guarded post wherein he, probably hinting towards current cacophony that has crept in news bulletins, talked about his imagery of sane and sensible interpretation of the trends and results identifying them with those presented by ace veteran broadcaster Prannoy Roy. In the same post, he mentioned the after-effects of the political-earthquake that shook West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and their lingering impact to be experienced for a long time. Elections in India have always meant @PrannoyRoy7749 for sane, sensible interpretation of the trends & results and thats why today the screens in my office have been tuned to @DeKoderAI to watch the unfolding political earthquake in West Bengal & Tamil Nadu. The aftershocks of these results will be felt far & wide for a long time, probably all the way up to 2029, CM Omar posted. This post too had garnered 380,000 views 4900 plus likes by evening. Notably Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah, during media interactions in the past couple of days, had exuded confidence about the victory of TMCs Mamata Banerjee, even after the exit poll results, some of which had predicted her partys rout in West Bengal. As far as DMK was concerned, even the exit polls generally had not predicted the defeat of DMK. The NC is part of the INDIA bloc led by Congress. Trinamool Congress and DMK are also constituents of this alliance.
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While BJP won four seats in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tripura and Nagaland, Congress won two in Karnataka and NCP emerged victorious in Maharashtra
Assembly poll outcome a caution to Congress to set house in order in Karnataka
Congress holds ground in Karnataka bypolls, wins Bagalkot and Davanagere South
The bypolls were necessitated by the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H. Y. Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South)
KKCCI welcomes 28.47 crore State support for air connectivity
The Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for the inclusion of the region under the next phase of the UDAN 2.0 scheme
Karnataka high court directs BHEL employee to pay wife maintenance
Voyagers endless journey comes alive at Bengaluru planetarium
Karnatakas Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is the Chancellor of the university, has approved the names for the honorary doctorates
In Karnataka bypoll developments, the Indian National Congress has taken a strong lead in Bagalkot, with candidate Umesh Meti ahead by 17,205 votes after 21 rounds of counting, making his victory almost certain. The bypoll was held following the demise of former MLA H.Y. Meti
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mr. Darshan, submitted that the actor is being denied the basic amenities because the court had made an observation that no five-star treatment should be given to him in jail
A peek into the secret lives of Coorgs many frogs
A film by Roundglass Sustain captures ecologist Dr Vishnupriya Sankararaman's journey through the plantations of Coorg, where she has documented around 36 species of frogs
SC seeks report from Karnataka govt on actor Darshan's plea alleging lack of basic amenities
Actor Darshan, arrested in the Renukaswamy murder case, has approached the Supreme Court alleging denial of basic prison amenities. His lawyer claims a previous court observation about no five-star treatment is being misinterpreted. The apex court has now sought a report from the Karnataka government on the actor's living conditions and the trial's progress.
Karnataka: D.N. Jeevaraj of BJP Declared Winner After Postal Ballot Recount in Sringeri
Bengaluru, May 4: In a significant development in Karnataka, D.N. Jeevaraj, the candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has emerged victorious in the Sringeri assembly constituency. This victory comes after a recount of postal ballots, where he defeated the incumbent Congress MLA, T.D. Rajegowda. The official announcement was made by election officer Gaurav Kumar ... Read more Karnataka: D.N. Jeevaraj of BJP Declared Winner After Postal Ballot Recount in Sringeri
Bypoll drama: Poll officials break EVM strong room lock in Karnataka after key goes missing
Election officials in Davanagere South had to break open the EVM strong room due to a missing key, briefly delaying the bypoll counting. Despite this, Congress candidate Samarth Shamanur took a significant lead. In Bagalkot, Congress candidate Umesh Meti secured a decisive victory, winning by over 21,000 votes.
The Art of Living and HDFC ERGO Build Job-Ready Graduates: A Practical Skills Initiative
Many graduates step out of university unprepared for the realities of the workplace. In early 2026, an initiative across Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru set out to change that - not through lengthy courses, but through a practical, hands-on approach to job readiness. Through a CSR partnership with HDFC ERGO, The Art of Living Social Projects launched the Employability & Workplace Readiness Program under its Vidya project. Designed as a 20-hour intervention with real impact, the programme equipped young graduates with the skills they actually need at work. Future-ready in progress The Gap We All Acknowledge, but Rarely Address Well India produces millions of graduates each year. Yet employers keep pointing to the same issue: A degree doesn’t necessarily translate into workplace readiness. Students often struggle with: Communication Financial awareness Workplace expectations Work stress and pressure This programme didn’t sidestep the problem - it went straight at it. Not just training. Preparation for real life. What set the programme apart was its emphasis on application over theory. It did not treat employability as a checklist; it approached it as a mindset, preparing students not just to secure jobs, but to handle them effectively. Less lecturing. More doing - role plays, discussions, real-world scenarios. Students engaged in : Stress management through breathing, meditation, and mindfulness Professional communication and interpersonal skills Workplace discipline and productivity Basics of banking, insurance, and financial planning Sales, negotiation, and relationship management Small Programme. Real Reach. The target was 400 students. The outcome: 370 trained in Tamil Nadu, and 31 in Karnataka. One striking detail: 67% of participants were women, reflecting strong female participation in skill-building initiatives. Students came from diverse academic backgrounds - BBA, B.Com, BA, and BSc - but shared a common need: clarity and confidence about stepping into the workforce. What Actually Changed The numbers matter. The shifts matter more. Students reported : Greater confidence in speaking and presenting A clearer understanding of money and financial planning Enhanced resilience (stress management) through simple, proven breathing techniques Increased self-awareness and discipline A realistic view of workplace expectations For someone stepping into their first job, that’s transformative. Working within constraints Looking Ahead As India continues to grapple with the employability gap, scalable, focused interventions like this offer a way forward. Because bridging the gap between education and employment doesn’t always require reinventing the system. Sometimes, it just means preparing people better for the world they’re about to enter. About The Art of Living Social Projects Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living Social Projects operates across India in collaboration with the Government of India, leading corporates, and local communities. The organisation undertakes large-scale initiatives in water conservation, natural farming, afforestation, environmental protection, free education, women’s empowerment, and rural development, among other focus areas. Best NGO for CSR projects in India www.instagram.com/artofliving.sp/ Like: www.facebook.com/artoflivingsocialprojects Post: x.com/artofliving_sp Message: www.linkedin.com/showcase/artofliving-sp
Sringeri seat recount: BJP candidate D.N. Jeevaraj gets election certificate
He was declared the winner after a recount of postal ballots
Defeated BJP candidate of Sringeri constituency declared elected as MLA, after recounting
CHIKKAMAGALURU (KARNATAKA): BJP candidate from the Sringeri Assembly constituency, who was defeated in the 2023 election, D N Jeevaraj, has been declared elected as MLA by the returning officer after recounting of postal ballots. The announcement was made after the reverification and recount of postal ballots, as per the High Court order. The reverification and []
As Keys Go Missing, Poll Officials Break Into EVM Strongroom In Karnataka
Although the outcome of these bypolls is unlikely to have an immediate impact on state politics, the contest is seen as a matter of prestige for both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
Cubbon Park Namma Metro station in Bengaluru shut due to power failure
The closure has already led to complaints on social media, with commuters questioning the reliability of services despite fare hikes
Bypoll Elections Result 2026 Updates: Vote counting is underway for by-elections across seven assembly seats in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tripura, and Nagaland. Key contests include Baramati, where Sunetra Pawar is expected to win in Baramati, and seats in Karnataka, Gujarat, Nagaland, and Tripura, necessitated by the passing of sitting MLAs. Results will be announced today.
Priyank M Kharge isnt holding back. From 4.5 lakh crore in IT exports to being among the top GST contributors, Karnataka is powering Indias tech economy. But the question he raises is simple and sharp: how much of that actually comes back to build better LinkedIn
By-Election Results 2026 LIVE: Baramati To Pick Ajit Pawar's Successor, Karnataka Contests Keenly-Watched NDTV
Bypoll Election Results 2026 Live Updates: Counting of votes across 7 assembly seats in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tripura, Nagaland to kick off at 8am The Times of India
By-Election Results 2026, Bypoll Vote Counting Result Today Live Updates:
Karnataka reservation: Can survey help breach 50% quota cap debate - Deccan Herald
Karnataka reservation: Can survey help breach 50% quota cap debate Deccan Herald
Tungabhadra Dam Gate Replacement Nears Completion
Vijayanagara, May 4: Karnatakas Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Irrigation, D.K. Shivakumar, announced on Sunday that the replacement of 33 crest gates at the Tungabhadra Dam is nearly complete, with preparations for inauguration set for May 15. After inspecting the installation of the new gates, Shivakumar told reporters, All 33 new gates have been ... Read more Tungabhadra Dam Gate Replacement Nears Completion
Completion of 33 Crest Gates at Tungabhadra Dam Nears, Inauguration Set for May 15: D.K. Shivakumar
Bengaluru, May 4: Karnatakas Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Irrigation, D.K. Shivakumar, announced on Sunday that the replacement of 33 crest gates at the Tungabhadra Dam is nearly complete. He instructed officials to prepare for the inauguration on May 15. After inspecting the installation of the new gates, Shivakumar stated, All 33 new gates ... Read more Completion of 33 Crest Gates at Tungabhadra Dam Nears, Inauguration Set for May 15: D.K. Shivakumar
Andhra CM Not Giving Time for Navali Project Talks: DK Shivakumar
Karnataka DCM flags delay in discussions on balancing reservoir and silt removal at Tungabhadra
Karnataka leadership talks in Delhi unlikely in next few weeks
Just as a group of Congress legislators aspiring to become Ministers are planning to reach Delhi next week to press for Cabinet expansion, the leadership issue in the Congress is unlikely to be settled soon
Puducherry election results 2026: NDA vs INDIA bloc; bypoll results in 8 seats across states awaited
Vote counting is happening today for the Puducherry assembly elections. The NDA faces the INDIA bloc in a close contest. Bypolls results are also expected for eight seats in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. These results will shape the political landscape in these regions. All eyes are on the final outcomes.
Rayaraddi urges for Mallikarjun Kharge as Karnataka Chief Minister if Siddaramaiah is to be replaced
Bengaluru to soon get immersive museum to decode brain & mind
Bangalore Development Authority seeks resolution to Turahalli forest buffer zone deadlock
Improper removal of eye makeup can spike inflammation by 40%: Study by Bengaluru doctor
MOTI initiative promotes community dog adoption in Bengaluru
Bengaluru Gets The Rain, But Loses The Water
Rain havoc: Clearing continues, but footpaths remain obstructed after storm in Bengaluru
Hubballi awaits upgrade of 3 high schools to PU colleges
Hubballi-Dharwad PU colleges see surge in enrolments from north, central Ktaka
Higher compensation sought for vendors deaths at Bengalurus Bowring
Belagavi: BLO suspended for lapses in voter verification
Flights likely to resume from Kalaburagi, Bidar airports within a month
Two kids die in Kapileshwar well tragedy, spotlight on civic failure
All eyes on Davanagere & Bagalkot bypoll results today, counting at 8am
Labour dept to spend over Rs 8.7K per school kit for construction workers children
50L calls in 3 yrs: Varuna Mitra farmer helpline braces as drought fears grow
New facilities to support free education for girls inaugurated by Gavi mutt
Belagavi hotels hike food prices by 7-10% after LPG rate surge
4 men assault cops in Bengaluru, flee in SUV; 2 held
Govt cuts tree-planting target to3 crore amid sapling shortage
Man tries to set teenage son on fire in Bengaluru, both suffer burns
Driver killed over autorickshaw seat dispute in Bengaluru
Bengaluru beautician accuses astrologerof rape under guise of rituals
The Hindu EducationPlus fair: Career counselling inspires confidence, eases course anxiety
TB dam crest gates repairs nearing completion, inauguration likely by May 15, says Shivakumar
Work to install the 33 crest gates has been completed, while slice plates have been fitted for 22 gates, according to the Deputy Chief Minister
Woman poisons 2 kids in Bengaluru, attempts suicide
Three of family killed in accident in Karnataka
Civil society signatories demand that SIR be stopped
Bengalurus water board collects Rs 12 crore under one-time settlement scheme, to issue more notices
Nandini Layout residents in Bengaluru reclaim streets to unwind & connect
Division of HDMC is CMs conspiracy to show Mysuru as the second biggest ULB, says former Mayor
The process adopted is inappropriate, according to BJP leader Iresh Anchatageri
Bangalore Development Authority not a promoter: Petition in Karnataka high court
Mass marriages protect our culture, says Shivakumar
He was addressing newly wedded couples and others at a mass marriage programme at the Taluk Stadium in Sindhanur of Raichur district
Only those who have the trust of Nehru-Gandhi family can become CM, says Bommai
There is no internal democracy in the Congress. It is a family party dominated by the Nehru-Gandhis, according to the BJP MP
House owner dies as wall collapses during construction in Vijayanagara
Actor Sudeeps helicopter lands in wrong place
